Dynamic radio access network and intelligent service delivery for multi-carrier access for 5G or other next generation network

ABSTRACT

A framework of abstraction of new and existing 5G radios can enhance capabilities of new and existing micro radios and other short range radio technologies to enable intelligent service delivery, dynamic access learning capability, and network slicing over 5G access networks. Enhancing layer communication for both control and user plane can be tunneled through the hosting layer and exploit a common transport provided by the hosting layer. The tunneling through the hosting layer can also enable the enhance capabilities to access the same radio management functions and can be orchestrated by the same core function. The framework for abstraction of the resources can be used to provide dynamic sharing of the resources and then be divided amongst different carriers.

RELATED APPLICATION

The subject patent application is a continuation of, and claims priorityto, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/021,970, filed Jun. 28, 2018,and entitled “DYNAMIC RADIO ACCESS NETWORK AND INTELLIGENT SERVICEDELIVERY FOR MULTI-CARRIER ACCESS FOR 5G OR OTHER NEXT GENERATIONNETWORK,” the entirety of which application is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to facilitating a dynamic radio accessnetwork and an intelligent service delivery. For example, thisdisclosure relates to facilitating a dynamic radio access networkcomprising multi-carrier access for a 5G, or other next generationnetwork.

BACKGROUND

5th generation (5G) wireless systems represent a next major phase ofmobile telecommunications standards beyond the currenttelecommunications standards of 4^(th) generation (4G). Rather thanfaster peak Internet connection speeds, 5G planning aims at highercapacity than current 4G, allowing a higher number of mobile broadbandusers per area unit, and allowing consumption of higher or unlimiteddata quantities. This would enable a large portion of the population tostream high-definition media many hours per day with their mobiledevices, when out of reach of wireless fidelity hotspots. 5G researchand development also aims at improved support of machine-to-machinecommunication, also known as the Internet of things, aiming at lowercost, lower battery consumption, and lower latency than 4G equipment.

The above-described background relating to facilitating a dynamic radioaccess network comprising multi-carrier access is merely intended toprovide a contextual overview of some current issues, and is notintended to be exhaustive. Other contextual information may becomefurther apparent upon review of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system in which anetwork node device (e.g., network node) and user equipment (UE) canimplement various aspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example schematic system block diagram of a mobilenetwork architecture with a software defined networking (SDN) controlleraccording to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example schematic system block diagram of a mobilenetwork architecture with a software defined networking (SDN) controlleraccording to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example system of communication resource poolingaccording to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example system of a tunneling procedure accordingto one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example system comprising multi-layer resourcepooling according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates example tables of radio resource characteristicsaccording to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example chart comprising a common control plane, atailored control plane, and a slice-specific control plane according toone or more embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method for multi-carrieraccess according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example flow diagram of a system formulti-carrier access according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example flow diagram of a machine-readable mediumfor multi-carrier access according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example block diagram of an example mobilehandset operable to engage in a system architecture that facilitatessecure wireless communication according to one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example block diagram of an example computeroperable to engage in a system architecture that facilitates securewireless communication according to one or more embodiments describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize, however, that the techniques describedherein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, orwith other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” or “anembodiment,” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment,” “in one aspect,” or “in an embodiment,” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

As utilized herein, terms “component,” “system,” “interface,” and thelike are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, hardware,software (e.g., in execution), and/or firmware. For example, a componentcan be a processor, a process running on a processor, an object, anexecutable, a program, a storage device, and/or a computer. By way ofillustration, an application running on a server and the server can be acomponent. One or more components can reside within a process, and acomponent can be localized on one computer and/or distributed betweentwo or more computers.

Further, these components can execute from various machine-readablemedia having various data structures stored thereon. The components cancommunicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance witha signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network, e.g., the Internet, a local areanetwork, a wide area network, etc. with other systems via the signal).

As another example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry; the electric or electronic circuitry can beoperated by a software application or a firmware application executed byone or more processors; the one or more processors can be internal orexternal to the apparatus and can execute at least a part of thesoftware or firmware application. As yet another example, a componentcan be an apparatus that provides specific functionality throughelectronic components without mechanical parts; the electroniccomponents can include one or more processors therein to executesoftware and/or firmware that confer(s), at least in part, thefunctionality of the electronic components. In an aspect, a componentcan emulate an electronic component via a virtual machine, e.g., withina cloud computing system.

The words “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” are used herein to meanserving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance ofdoubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by suchexamples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as“exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meantto preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known tothose of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that theterms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used ineither the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intendedto be inclusive—in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an opentransition word—without precluding any additional or other elements.

As used herein, the term “infer” or “inference” refers generally to theprocess of reasoning about, or inferring states of, the system,environment, user, and/or intent from a set of observations as capturedvia events and/or data. Captured data and events can include user data,device data, environment data, data from sensors, sensor data,application data, implicit data, explicit data, etc. Inference can beemployed to identify a specific context or action, or can generate aprobability distribution over states of interest based on aconsideration of data and events, for example.

Inference can also refer to techniques employed for composinghigher-level events from a set of events and/or data. Such inferenceresults in the construction of new events or actions from a set ofobserved events and/or stored event data, whether the events arecorrelated in close temporal proximity, and whether the events and datacome from one or several event and data sources. Various classificationschemes and/or systems (e.g., support vector machines, neural networks,expert systems, Bayesian belief networks, fuzzy logic, and data fusionengines) can be employed in connection with performing automatic and/orinferred action in connection with the disclosed subject matter.

In addition, the disclosed subject matter can be implemented as amethod, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programmingand/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware,or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement thedisclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as usedherein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, machine-readable device, computer-readablecarrier, computer-readable media, or machine-readable media. Forexample, computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, amagnetic storage device, e.g., hard disk; floppy disk; magneticstrip(s); an optical disk (e.g., compact disk (CD), a digital video disc(DVD), a Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)); a smart card; a flash memory device (e.g.,card, stick, key drive); and/or a virtual device that emulates a storagedevice and/or any of the above computer-readable media.

As an overview, various embodiments are described herein to facilitate adynamic radio access network comprising multi-carrier access for a 5Gair interface or other next generation networks. For simplicity ofexplanation, the methods (or algorithms) are depicted and described as aseries of acts. It is to be understood and appreciated that the variousembodiments are not limited by the acts illustrated and/or by the orderof acts. For example, acts can occur in various orders and/orconcurrently, and with other acts not presented or described herein.Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement themethods. In addition, the methods could alternatively be represented asa series of interrelated states via a state diagram or events.Additionally, the methods described hereafter are capable of beingstored on an article of manufacture (e.g., a machine-readable storagemedium) to facilitate transporting and transferring such methodologiesto computers. The term article of manufacture, as used herein, isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, carrier, or media, including a non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium.

It should be noted that although various aspects and embodiments havebeen described herein in the context of 5G, Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), and/or Long Term Evolution (LTE), orother next generation networks, the disclosed aspects are not limited to5G, a UMTS implementation, and/or an LTE implementation as thetechniques can also be applied in 3G, 4G or LTE systems. For example,aspects or features of the disclosed embodiments can be exploited insubstantially any wireless communication technology. Such wirelesscommunication technologies can include UMTS, Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA), Wi-Fi, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced GPRS, ThirdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP), LTE, Third Generation PartnershipProject 2 (3GPP2) Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), High Speed Packet Access(HSPA), Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), High-Speed DownlinkPacket Access (HSDPA), High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Zigbee,or another IEEE 802.XX technology. Additionally, substantially allaspects disclosed herein can be exploited in legacy telecommunicationtechnologies.

Described herein are systems, methods, articles of manufacture, andother embodiments or implementations that can facilitate a dynamic radioaccess network comprising multi-carrier access for a 5G network.Facilitating a dynamic radio access network comprising multi-carrieraccess for a 5G network can be implemented in connection with any typeof device with a connection to the communications network (e.g., amobile handset, a computer, a handheld device, etc.) any Internet ofthings (IOT) device (e.g., toaster, coffee maker, blinds, music players,speakers, etc.), and/or any connected vehicles (cars, airplanes, spacerockets, and/or other at least partially automated vehicles (e.g.,drones)). In some embodiments the non-limiting term user equipment (UE)is used. It can refer to any type of wireless device that communicateswith a radio network node in a cellular or mobile communication system.Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machinetype UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA,Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE),laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles etc. Note that the termselement, elements and antenna ports can be interchangeably used butcarry the same meaning in this disclosure. The embodiments areapplicable to single carrier as well as to multicarrier (MC) or carrieraggregation (CA) operation of the UE. The term carrier aggregation (CA)is also called (e.g. interchangeably called) “multi-carrier system”,“multi-cell operation”, “multi-carrier operation”, “multi-carrier”transmission and/or reception.

In some embodiments the non-limiting term radio network node or simplynetwork node is used. It can refer to any type of network node thatserves UE is connected to other network nodes or network elements or anyradio node from where UE receives a signal. Examples of radio networknodes are Node B, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) nodesuch as MSR BS, eNode B, network controller, radio network controller(RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controllingrelay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmissionpoints, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antennasystem (DAS) etc.

Cloud radio access networks (RAN) can enable the implementation ofconcepts such as software-defined network (SDN) and network functionvirtualization (NFV) in 5G networks. This disclosure can facilitate ageneric channel state information framework design for a 5G network.Certain embodiments of this disclosure can comprise an SDN controllerthat can control routing of traffic within the network and between thenetwork and traffic destinations. The SDN controller can be merged withthe 5G network architecture to enable service deliveries via openapplication programming interfaces (“APIs”) and move the network coretowards an all internet protocol (“IP”), cloud based, and softwaredriven telecommunications network. The SDN controller can work with, ortake the place of policy and charging rules function (“PCRF”) networkelements so that policies such as quality of service and trafficmanagement and routing can be synchronized and managed end to end.

An LTE network can be a policy-based traffic management architecturewith a PCRF element traditionally controlling the QoS levels and otherinformation (priorities bandwidths, etc.) that manages IP flows thatcarries a particular application (such as voice, video, messaging,etc.). This policy-based mechanism applies to the IP traffic between themobile device and the packet data network gateway (“PGW”). In anembodiment of the subject disclosure, software defined networking can beused to provide routing and traffic control for packets sent from thePGW to a destination address. In some embodiments, the SDN controllercan also provide traffic control for packets from the mobile device tothe destination in some embodiments.

The PCRF and the SDN controller can also communicate about some aspectsof a particular application flow so that routing decisions both in theaccess network (between eNodeB and PGW) as well as in the backbone canbe made based on the nature of the application and how that particularflow was expected to be treated based on operator policies and usersubscription. For example, if a higher QoS is to be applied to a trafficflow carrying voice packet, the service related information such as QoScan be used by SDN controller to make decisions such as mapping androute optimizations. This can enable the entire network to beapplication aware with a consistent treatment of the packets.

To meet the huge demand for data centric applications, 4G standards canbe applied 5G, also called new radio (NR) access. 5G networks cancomprise the following: data rates of several tens of megabits persecond supported for tens of thousands of users; 1 gigabit per secondcan be offered simultaneously to tens of workers on the same officefloor; several hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections can besupported for massive sensor deployments; spectral efficiency can beenhanced compared to 4G; improved coverage; enhanced signalingefficiency; and reduced latency compared to LTE. In multicarrier systemsuch as OFDM, each subcarrier can occupy bandwidth (e.g., subcarrierspacing). If the carriers use the same bandwidth spacing, then it can beconsidered a single numerology. However, if the carriers occupydifferent bandwidth and/or spacing, then it can be considered a multiplenumerology.

A framework for abstraction of new and existing 5G radios can comprise3GPP radio technologies as well as the boosting/enhancing capabilitiesof new and existing micro radios and other short range radiotechnologies to enable intelligent service delivery over the radioaccess network as a whole, dynamic access learning capability, andnetwork slicing over 5G access networks. Enhancing layer communicationfor both control and user planes can be tunneled through the hostinglayer and leverage the common transport provided by the hosting layer.The tunneling through the hosting layer can also enable these enhancingradio solutions to access the same radio management functions and can beorchestrated by the same core function.

Radio access network abstraction can provide a separation between thephysical radios and a logical view of the network. It can provide aholistic view of pool of various radio resources from various radiotechnologies. This can allow a network controller to make an intelligentdecision on what radio to use to deliver a service based on applicationrequirements. The radio access network abstraction can also have adynamic learning capability to constantly update the network view of theradio resources upon adding, changing, removing and/or modifying theresources.

Under this framework, various applications (e.g., smart city, connectedcars) and/or various customers (e.g., GM, Amazon, etc.) can ask fordifferent services or technologies. Based on their service needs (e.g.latency, speed, etc.), the intelligent control can pick and chooseaccess, backhaul, and/or service delivery based on this framework.

As shown on the figures, the abstraction layer separates the physicalradios and logical view of the radio network. It provides a holisticview of pooling of various radio resources from various radiotechnologies, which not only includes the location of the cells, butalso the type of the radio, the coverage, radio condition, radio loadcondition, power level, security characteristics of the radiotechnology, etc. and present a radio network graph with thecharacteristics of the radio resources. In addition, the radio networkgraph can also have a presentation on network slices and theircorresponding characteristics. The logical view and access can allow theSDN controller to make intelligent decisions based on the conditions,radio technology, and what slice to use to deliver a service based onapplication requirements.

When a new radio node is added, modified (e.g. power level), and/orremoved, the radio access network abstraction can provide the dynamiclearning capability to constantly update the network view of the radioresources upon the change. For a new service request, the SDN controllercan perform based on the application requirements (e.g., service levelagreements (SLA)) to intelligently select a radio technology, a properslice, etc. from the pool of the physical radio resources. The selectionof the physical radio resources can be from the hosting layer or anenhancing layer, where all the communication for both the control planeand the user plane can tunneled through the hosting layer and can beadministrated by the access slice for that particular service. Thetunneling through the hosting layer can enable these boosting orenhancing radio solutions to access the same radio management functionsand can be orchestrated by the same core function.

The system can comprise a radio controller function thatcontrols/enables the access radios such as 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, LPWAN, etc.The access management function can decide what technologies areprioritized for the specific service, such as the slice selectionservice. Ported functionalities (PVNF) can comprise of any corefunctionality that amplifies the performance of the access slice, suchas MME in 4G technology or an edge computing function where traffic iskept close to the source and results can be transmitted back to theclient for a high performance service such as video analysis of onincident at premises. A resource management log can comprise baseband,digital signal processing, medium access control, networking, andmanagement information. This information can be used in similarcircumstances that occur for a streamlined, efficient, and intelligentmanagement of the resources. As the log keep grows it can make thedecision making process more efficient by referring to similarcircumstances, comparing the result, and fine tuning the decision for anoptimal result. The intelligent resource management function canconsider traffic load, access types (5G, 4G, 3G, Wi-Fi, etc.) and theirsignal strength, which inline will decide traffic distribution acrossavailable access types, and slices already instantiated or available ine-comp to be instantiated. The intelligent resource management functioncan also decide the optimal physical (connection with transceivers) andfunctional (vNFs in slices) elements. The intelligent resourcemanagement function can also play a role in deciding which transceiverscan be used on what spectrum and how much power they will utilize.

In one embodiment, described herein is a method comprising facilitating,in response to receiving a request for access by carrier devicesassociated with a carrier identity of a carrier, generating, by asoftware-defined network device comprising a processor, a common controlplane associated with a dedicated control plane of a wireless network.Based on the common control plane, the method can comprise generating,by the software-defined network device, a dedicated user planeassociated with the dedicated control plane. In response to thegenerating the dedicated user plane, the method can comprisefacilitating, by the software-defined network device, receiving, from aservice application, a resource request representative of a requestedresource to be provided to a carrier device of the carrier devicesassociated with the carrier identity. Additionally, based on thereceiving the resource request, the method can comprise facilitating, bythe software-defined network device, sending resource request datarepresentative of the resource request to an access slice layer of thewireless network to allocate the requested resource to the carrierdevice.

According to another embodiment, a system can facilitate, receiving arequest to enable access for carrier devices associated with a carrieridentity indicative of a carrier. In response to the receiving therequest to enable the access, the system can facilitate generating acommon control plane associated with a dedicated control plane of awireless network. In response to the generating the common controlplane, the system can comprise linking a dedicated user plane to beassociated with the dedicated control plane. Furthermore, in response tothe linking, the system can comprise receiving a resource requestrepresentative of a requested resource to be provided to a carrierdevice of the carrier devices. Additionally, based on the receiving theresource request, the system can send resource request datarepresentative of the resource request to an access slice layer of thewireless network to allocate the requested resource to the carrierdevice.

According to yet another embodiment, described herein is amachine-readable storage medium that can perform the operationscomprising facilitating linking a common control plane to a dedicatedcontrol plane of a wireless network. In response to the common controlplane being linked to the dedicated control plane, the machine-readablestorage medium can perform the operations comprising facilitatinglinking a dedicated user plane to the dedicated control plane. Inresponse to the common control plane being linked to the dedicatedcontrol plane, the machine-readable storage medium can perform theoperations comprising receiving a resource request representative of arequested resource to be provided to a carrier device of a carrier.Furthermore, the machine-readable storage medium can perform theoperations facilitating sending resource request data representative ofthe resource request to an access slice layer of the wireless network toallocate the requested resource to the carrier device based on thereceiving the resource request.

These and other embodiments or implementations are described in moredetail below with reference to the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an example wirelesscommunication system 100 in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure. In one or more embodiments,system 100 can comprise one or more user equipment UEs 102. Thenon-limiting term user equipment can refer to any type of device thatcan communicate with a network node in a cellular or mobilecommunication system. A UE can have one or more antenna panels havingvertical and horizontal elements. Examples of a UE comprise a targetdevice, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable ofmachine to machine (M2M) communications, personal digital assistant(PDA), tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop mounted equipment(LME), universal serial bus (USB) dongles enabled for mobilecommunications, a computer having mobile capabilities, a mobile devicesuch as cellular phone, a laptop having laptop embedded equipment (LEE,such as a mobile broadband adapter), a tablet computer having a mobilebroadband adapter, a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, aheads-up display (HUD) device, a smart car, a machine-type communication(MTC) device, and the like. User equipment UE 102 can also comprise IOTdevices that communicate wirelessly.

In various embodiments, system 100 is or comprises a wirelesscommunication network serviced by one or more wireless communicationnetwork providers. In example embodiments, a UE 102 can becommunicatively coupled to the wireless communication network via anetwork node 104. The network node (e.g., network node device) cancommunicate with user equipment (UE), thus providing connectivitybetween the UE and the wider cellular network. The UE 102 can sendtransmission type recommendation data to the network node 104. Thetransmission type recommendation data can comprise a recommendation totransmit data via a closed loop MIMO mode and/or a rank-1 precoder mode.

A network node can have a cabinet and other protected enclosures, anantenna mast, and multiple antennas for performing various transmissionoperations (e.g., MIMO operations). Network nodes can serve severalcells, also called sectors, depending on the configuration and type ofantenna. In example embodiments, the UE 102 can send and/or receivecommunication data via a wireless link to the network node 104. Thedashed arrow lines from the network node 104 to the UE 102 representdownlink (DL) communications and the solid arrow lines from the UE 102to the network nodes 104 represents an uplink (UL) communication.

System 100 can further include one or more communication serviceprovider networks 106 that facilitate providing wireless communicationservices to various UEs, including UE 102, via the network node 104and/or various additional network devices (not shown) included in theone or more communication service provider networks 106. The one or morecommunication service provider networks 106 can include various types ofdisparate networks, including but not limited to: cellular networks,femto networks, picocell networks, microcell networks, internet protocol(IP) networks Wi-Fi service networks, broadband service network,enterprise networks, cloud based networks, and the like. For example, inat least one implementation, system 100 can be or include a large scalewireless communication network that spans various geographic areas.According to this implementation, the one or more communication serviceprovider networks 106 can be or include the wireless communicationnetwork and/or various additional devices and components of the wirelesscommunication network (e.g., additional network devices and cell,additional UEs, network server devices, etc.). The network node 104 canbe connected to the one or more communication service provider networks106 via one or more backhaul links 108. For example, the one or morebackhaul links 108 can comprise wired link components, such as a T1/E1phone line, a digital subscriber line (DSL) (e.g., either synchronous orasynchronous), an asymmetric DSL (ADSL), an optical fiber backbone, acoaxial cable, and the like. The one or more backhaul links 108 can alsoinclude wireless link components, such as but not limited to,line-of-sight (LOS) or non-LOS links which can include terrestrialair-interfaces or deep space links (e.g., satellite communication linksfor navigation).

Wireless communication system 100 can employ various cellular systems,technologies, and modulation modes to facilitate wireless radiocommunications between devices (e.g., the UE 102 and the network node104). While example embodiments might be described for 5G new radio (NR)systems, the embodiments can be applicable to any radio accesstechnology (RAT) or multi-RAT system where the UE operates usingmultiple carriers e.g. LTE FDD/TDD, GSM/GERAN, CDMA2000 etc.

For example, system 100 can operate in accordance with global system formobile communications (GSM), universal mobile telecommunications service(UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), LTE frequency division duplexing (LTEFDD, LTE time division duplexing (TDD), high speed packet access (HSPA),code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCMDA), CDMA2000,time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access(FDMA), multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA),single-carrier code division multiple access (SC-CDMA), single-carrierFDMA (SC-FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM),discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-spread OFDM) single carrierFDMA (SC-FDMA), Filter bank based multi-carrier (FBMC), zero tailDFT-spread-OFDM (ZT DFT-s-OFDM), generalized frequency divisionmultiplexing (GFDM), fixed mobile convergence (FMC), universal fixedmobile convergence (UFMC), unique word OFDM (UW-OFDM), unique wordDFT-spread OFDM (UW DFT-Spread-OFDM), cyclic prefix OFDM CP-OFDM,resource-block-filtered OFDM, Wi Fi, WLAN, WiMax, and the like. However,various features and functionalities of system 100 are particularlydescribed wherein the devices (e.g., the UEs 102 and the network device104) of system 100 are configured to communicate wireless signals usingone or more multi carrier modulation schemes, wherein data symbols canbe transmitted simultaneously over multiple frequency subcarriers (e.g.,OFDM, CP-OFDM, DFT-spread OFMD, UFMC, FMBC, etc.). The embodiments areapplicable to single carrier as well as to multicarrier (MC) or carrieraggregation (CA) operation of the UE. The term carrier aggregation (CA)is also called (e.g. interchangeably called) “multi-carrier system”,“multi-cell operation”, “multi-carrier operation”, “multi-carrier”transmission and/or reception. Note that some embodiments are alsoapplicable for Multi RAB (radio bearers) on some carriers (that is dataplus speech is simultaneously scheduled).

In various embodiments, system 100 can be configured to provide andemploy 5G wireless networking features and functionalities. 5G wirelesscommunication networks are expected to fulfill the demand ofexponentially increasing data traffic and to allow people and machinesto enjoy gigabit data rates with virtually zero latency. Compared to 4G,5G supports more diverse traffic scenarios. For example, in addition tothe various types of data communication between conventional UEs (e.g.,phones, smartphones, tablets, PCs, televisions, Internet enabledtelevisions, etc.) supported by 4G networks, 5G networks can be employedto support data communication between smart cars in association withdriverless car environments, as well as machine type communications(MTCs). Considering the drastic different communication needs of thesedifferent traffic scenarios, the ability to dynamically configurewaveform parameters based on traffic scenarios while retaining thebenefits of multi carrier modulation schemes (e.g., OFDM and relatedschemes) can provide a significant contribution to the highspeed/capacity and low latency demands of 5G networks. With waveformsthat split the bandwidth into several sub-bands, different types ofservices can be accommodated in different sub-bands with the mostsuitable waveform and numerology, leading to an improved spectrumutilization for 5G networks.

To meet the demand for data centric applications, features of proposed5G networks may comprise: increased peak bit rate (e.g., 20 Gbps),larger data volume per unit area (e.g., high system spectralefficiency—for example about 3.5 times that of spectral efficiency oflong term evolution (LTE) systems), high capacity that allows moredevice connectivity both concurrently and instantaneously, lowerbattery/power consumption (which reduces energy and consumption costs),better connectivity regardless of the geographic region in which a useris located, a larger numbers of devices, lower infrastructuraldevelopment costs, and higher reliability of the communications. Thus,5G networks may allow for: data rates of several tens of megabits persecond should be supported for tens of thousands of users, 1 gigabit persecond to be offered simultaneously to tens of workers on the sameoffice floor, for example; several hundreds of thousands of simultaneousconnections to be supported for massive sensor deployments; improvedcoverage, enhanced signaling efficiency; reduced latency compared toLTE.

The upcoming 5G access network may utilize higher frequencies (e.g., >6GHz) to aid in increasing capacity. Currently, much of the millimeterwave (mmWave) spectrum, the band of spectrum between 30 gigahertz (Ghz)and 300 Ghz is underutilized. The millimeter waves have shorterwavelengths that range from 10 millimeters to 1 millimeter, and thesemmWave signals experience severe path loss, penetration loss, andfading. However, the shorter wavelength at mmWave frequencies alsoallows more antennas to be packed in the same physical dimension, whichallows for large-scale spatial multiplexing and highly directionalbeamforming.

Performance can be improved if both the transmitter and the receiver areequipped with multiple antennas. Multi-antenna techniques cansignificantly increase the data rates and reliability of a wirelesscommunication system. The use of multiple input multiple output (MIMO)techniques, which was introduced in the third-generation partnershipproject (3GPP) and has been in use (including with LTE), is amulti-antenna technique that can improve the spectral efficiency oftransmissions, thereby significantly boosting the overall data carryingcapacity of wireless systems. The use of multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) techniques can improve mmWave communications, and has been widelyrecognized a potentially important component for access networksoperating in higher frequencies. MIMO can be used for achievingdiversity gain, spatial multiplexing gain and beamforming gain. Forthese reasons, MIMO systems are an important part of the 3rd and 4thgeneration wireless systems, and are planned for use in 5G systems.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an example schematic systemblock diagram of a mobile network architecture with a software definednetworking (SDN) controller according to one or more embodiments.

A mobility core network 200 can comprise a radio access network thatfacilitates communications between the mobile devices and mobility corenetwork 200. The mobility core network 200 can comprise a series ofcomponents, functions, and/or databases that can be communicativelycoupled that provide mobile data and control management. For example, aradio control function 206 and a resource management function 208 can beprovided to perform control of the packets traveling in the user planebetween mobile devices and the control plane. The resource managementfunction 208 can apply rules and policies based on user relatedinformation, subscription material, priority data, network loads, and/orservice level agreements stored at a policy database 204. Thisinformation can then be passed along from the resource managementfunction 208 to the radio control function 206 to facilitate adding,removing, and/or modifying resources of the user plane via a hostinglayer 210 and/or an enhancing layer 212.

In one or more embodiments, the SDN controller 202 can provide controland management of the packets or data. The SDN controller 202 canreceive information relating to the rules and policies associated withdata transmission sent to and from the policy database 204, and theradio control function 206 can handoff control and management of thedata traffic to the SDN controller 202. If there are one or more networkfunction virtualization (“NFVs”) in the mobility core network 200, theSDN controller 202 can handle the control plane functions related totraffic sent to and from one or more of the NFVs. Such NFVs can comprisevirtualized elements such as virtualized serving gateways (SGWs),virtualized packet data network gateways (PGWs), and other virtualizednetwork elements.

In one or more embodiments, the radio control function 206 and the SDNcontroller 202 can perform traffic management functions such as routemodification for transmission routes of data based on service relatedinformation such as QoS. The quality of service control can also bebased on an application associated with the packets of data. Forinstance, if a set of data is related to a service application (e.g., avoice application), the resource management function can determine forthe radio control function 206, how many resources it needs from thehosting layer and/or the enhancing layer to accommodate the serviceapplication. Therefore, the aforementioned scenario can be achievedbased on the service application indicating a bandwidth utilization tothe SDN controller 202, and the radio control function 206 assessing theresources of the enhancing layer. This can prompt the radio controlfunction 206 to add, delete, and/or modify resources (e.g., micro-accesstechnologies: Wi-Fi, LPWAN, etc.) on the enhancing layer 212 via atunneling methodology discussed later with regards to FIG. 5. It shouldbe noted, that based on policies stored at the policy database, in oneor more embodiments, one service application can be given priorityand/or preferred over another service application with regards toutilization and/or distribution of the resources.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an example schematic systemblock diagram of a mobile network architecture with a software definednetworking (SDN) controller according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 depicts one or more embodiments wherein the mobility core network300 can comprise an SDN controller 202 that can comprise the policydatabase 204, the resource management function 208, and the radiocontrol function 206, which can be communicatively coupled. It shouldalso be noted that in alternative embodiments, the policy database 204can be hosted at the user plane hosting layer 210 and/or the enhancinglayer 212. The resource management function 208 can distribute and/orallocate a specific resource and/or percentage of resources on theenhancing layer 212 and/or the hosting layer 210. The adding or removingresources can be based on the hosting layer 210 policies and/or theenhancing layer 212 policies (e.g., service level agreements,priorities, network loads, etc.). For example, based on a serviceapplication request, the resource management function 208 can facilitatedistributing 30% of the Wi-Fi resources on the enhancing layer and 70%of the eNode B resources on the hosting layer 210. It can also addand/or remove resources from other services in the same slice if needed.Thus, resources can be dynamically added and/or removed based on apolicy, service level agreement, priority, and/or network load of thehosting layer 210 and/or the enhancing layer 212.

Referring now to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, illustrated is an example system 400of communication resource pooling according to one or more embodimentsand an example system of a tunneling procedure according to one or moreembodiments.

Because resources (e.g., micro-access technologies: Wi-Fi, LPWAN, etc.)can comprise processors and storage capabilities, the communicationportion of the resources can be pooled via a communication resourcepooling (CRP) 402 so that the mobility core networks 200, 300 can viewmultiple resources as only one communication resource. This can beaccomplished by opening a tunnel between the enhancing layer 212 and thehosting layer 210. For example, the enhancing layer 212 can use thehosting layer 210 as a conduit by opening the tunnel. Since the eNode Balready has access to the radio control function 206, instead of settingup a new radio controller function, the mobility core network 200, 300can set up a tunneling function from the eNode B to the access layer(e.g., control plane) to utilize resources at the enhancing layer 212.Consequently, a new connection does not have to be set up because themobility core network 200, 300 can use an existing connection and theenhanced layer data can be transported, via the tunnel, to the resourcemanagement function 208. The tunnel can also be used for other carriersto include their resources on the tunnel as well. The tunnel capacitycan also be leased by the other carriers to gain access to additionalresources.

Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated is an example system 600 comprisingmulti-layer resource pooling according to one or more embodiments.

Additional access technology/resources, such as macro access technology(e.g., eNode B) and micro access technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi, wirelesslocal area network (WLAN), low-power wide area network (LPWAN), longrange (LoRa), radio access network (RAN)s, Bluetooth peer-to-peernetwork, metro cell, etc.), can be added to 5G to address accessuniformity issues. For instance, the hosting layer 210 and the enhancinglayer 212 can enhance network capacity. The hosting layer 210 can beused as a conduit to send the enhancing layer 212 data to the accessnetwork.

Network slices can be created to address a certain need of service call,or transport, or access capability. Thus, the access network can bedivided by slices to separately address multiple needs. The slice of anaccess layer can be vertical or horizontal and can manage a definednumber of radios with various frequencies and various capabilities. Forexample, an access slice can comprise the resource management function208, the radio control function 206, and other capabilities to aid aspecific function. The resource management function 208 can determine,for the radio control function 206, how many resources it needs for thehosting layer 210 and the enhancing layer 212, which can depend on whattype of service it is using. The service can communicate to the accesslayer what kind of bandwidth it is looking for, which can be controlledby the SDN controller 202.

For example, if a service application running on a service layercommunicates to the SDN controller 202 that it requires a lot ofbandwidth, and the radio control function 206 already knows about theenhancing layer resource capacity, then the resource management function208, on a slice, can access information on the resources of a particularslice and decide where it has additional and/or unused resources (e.g.,Wi-Fi, LPWAN, access capability) that it can add to the serviceapplication. Alternatively, the resource management function 110 canremove capacity from other service applications that are of a lessorpriority and/or that do not need as much capacity. Consequently, theresource management function 110 can distribute and/or allocate aspecific resource and/or percentage of resources on the enhancing layer212 and/or the hosting layer 210. The adding or removing of resourcescan be based on the hosting layer policies (e.g., policies associatedwith eNode B devices) and/or the enhancing layer policies (e.g., servicelevel agreements, priorities, network loads, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated are example tables of radioresource characteristics according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 represents the attributes of the hosting layer 210 and theenhancing layer 212. Thus, the hosting layer attributes 700 can becompared to the enhancing layer attributes 702. For example, if thehosting layer 210 is loaded, the enhancing layer 212 has resourcecapacity that can be used, and the enhancing layer 212 meets the servicelevel agreement, then the enhancing layer 212 can be used. Consequently,if the conditions are better for the enhancing layer 212, then theenhancing layer 212 resources can be used. However, if the conditionsare better on the hosting layer 210, then the hosting layer 210resources can be used.

Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated is an example chart 800 comprisinga common control plane, a tailored control plane, and a slice-specificcontrol plane according to one or more embodiments.

The chart depicted in FIG. 8 and the framework for abstraction of theresources discussed above, can be used to provide dynamic sharing of thepool of RAN resources. The resources can then be divided amongstdifferent carriers (e.g., service providers) that are leasing or sharingthe network. Therefore, the system can utilize already existingconnectivity to access the enhancing layer and the hosting layerresources. For instance, multiple carriers can utilize the same accessnetwork, wherein the control plane can identify the user (e.g., whichpublic land mobile network (PLMN) carrier) so that multiple PLMNcarriers can utilize the same access network resources. Radio channelsand/or bandwidth can be divided over the control plane and the userplane. The control plane is for the network and the user plane can carrythe subscriber information (e.g., video being watched, picture beingsent, etc.), how this data is sent, who the data belongs to, where thedata needs to go, etc. Although, the common control plane 802 cannotchange based on who the carrier is, the common plane slice 804A, 806A,808A can vary and/or change to identify a specific carrier. The commoncontrol plane 802 can accommodate common functionality management suchas location update, paging, and other common radio relatedfunctionalities. The dedicated control plane can have control overselective handover, setting up barer access with given QoS and policesfor a specific slice and slice-related functionalities.

Consequently, the system can provide differentiation, which can allowfor prioritization of capacity to specific carriers, and/or quality ofservice between the carriers. For example, if the first user plane slice804B is for AT&T, the second user plane slice is for Google 806B, andthe third user plane slice is for Amazon 808B, then the various carrierscan have an ability to gain access to a network within the system 600.Normally, the access between carriers cannot differentiated. However, ifthey are differentiated as represented in FIG. 8, then the datautilization allocated to a specific carrier can be prioritized (e.g.,add capacity, remove capacity, etc.). Additionally, there can be anunlimited number of carriers on the radios. Each slice can have acombination of common and dedicated control planes and the commoncontrol plane 802 can accommodate the common functionality managementand a selective handover can be performed. It should be noted that inone or more embodiments, the common control can be implemented by theSDN controller 202, and the individual carriers can be implemented atthe radio control function 206. Alternatively, the common controlfunction can be implemented at the resource management function 208.

Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrates an example flow diagram of a methodfor multi-carrier access according to one or more embodiments. Atelement 900, a method can comprise facilitating, in response toreceiving a request (e.g., via the SDN controller 202) for access bycarrier devices associated with a carrier identity of a carrier,generating a common control plane 802 associated with a dedicatedcontrol plane (e.g., common control plane slice 804A, 806A, 808A) of awireless network. Based on the common control plane 802, the method cancomprise generating a dedicated user plane associated with the dedicatedcontrol plane at element 9032. In response to the generating thededicated user plane (e.g., user plane slice 804B, 806B, 808 B), themethod can comprise facilitating receiving (e.g., via the SDN controller202), from a service application, a resource request representative of arequested resource to be provided to a carrier device of the carrierdevices associated with the carrier identity at element 904.Additionally, at element 906, based on the receiving the resourcerequest (e.g., via the SDN controller 202), the method can comprisefacilitating sending (e.g., via the resource management function 208)resource request data representative of the resource request to anaccess slice layer of the wireless network to allocate the requestedresource to the carrier device.

Referring now to FIG. 10, illustrated is an example flow diagram of asystem for multi-carrier access according to one or more embodiments. Atelement 1000, a system can facilitate, receiving (e.g., via the SDNcontroller 202) a request to enable access for carrier devicesassociated with a carrier identity indicative of a carrier. In responseto the receiving the request to enable the access, the system canfacilitate generating (e.g., via the SDN controller 202) a commoncontrol plane 802 associated with a dedicated control plane (e.g.,common control plane slice 804A, 806A, 808A) of a wireless network atelement 1002. At element 1004, in response to the generating the commoncontrol plane 802, the system can comprise linking (e.g., via the radiocontrol function 206) a dedicated user plane to be associated with thededicated control plane (e.g., user plane slice 804B, 806B, 808B).Furthermore, at element 1006, in response to the linking, the system cancomprise receiving (e.g., via the SDN controller 202) a resource requestrepresentative of a requested resource to be provided to a carrierdevice of the carrier devices. Additionally, based on the receiving theresource request (e.g., via the SDN controller 202), the system can send(e.g., via the resource management function 208) resource request datarepresentative of the resource request to an access slice layer of thewireless network to allocate the requested resource to the carrierdevice at element 1008.

Referring now to FIG. 11, illustrated is an example flow diagram of amachine-readable medium for multi-carrier access according to one ormore embodiments. At element 1100 a machine-readable storage medium cancomprise facilitating linking (e.g., via the radio control function 206)a common control plane 802 to a dedicated control plane (e.g., commoncontrol plane slice 804A, 806A, 808A) of a wireless network. At element1102, in response to the common control plane 802 being linked to thededicated control plane (e.g., common control plane slice 804A, 806A,808A), the machine-readable storage medium can perform the operationscomprising facilitating linking (e.g., via the radio control function206) a dedicated user plane (e.g., user plane slice 804B, 806B, 808B) tothe dedicated control plane (e.g., common control plane slice 804A,806A, 808A). In response to the common control plane 802 being linked tothe dedicated control plane (e.g., common control plane slice 804A,806A, 808A), the machine-readable storage medium can perform theoperations comprising receiving (e.g., via the SDN controller 202) aresource request representative of a requested resource to be providedto a carrier device of a carrier at element 1104. Furthermore, themachine-readable storage medium can perform the operations facilitatingsending (e.g., via the resource management function 208) resourcerequest data representative of the resource request to an access slicelayer of the wireless network to allocate the requested resource to thecarrier device based on the receiving the resource request at element1106.

Referring now to FIG. 12, illustrated is a schematic block diagram of anexemplary end-user device such as a mobile device 1200 capable ofconnecting to a network in accordance with some embodiments describedherein. Although a mobile handset 1200 is illustrated herein, it will beunderstood that other devices can be a mobile device, and that themobile handset 1200 is merely illustrated to provide context for theembodiments of the various embodiments described herein. The followingdiscussion is intended to provide a brief, general description of anexample of a suitable environment 1200 in which the various embodimentscan be implemented. While the description includes a general context ofcomputer-executable instructions embodied on a machine-readable storagemedium, those skilled in the art will recognize that the innovation alsocan be implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as acombination of hardware and software.

Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the methods described herein canbe practiced with other system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like,each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associateddevices.

A computing device can typically include a variety of machine-readablemedia. Machine-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media can include volatileand/or non-volatile media, removable and/or non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media can include, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD ROM,digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The handset 1200 includes a processor 1202 for controlling andprocessing all onboard operations and functions. A memory 1204interfaces to the processor 1202 for storage of data and one or moreapplications 1206 (e.g., a video player software, user feedbackcomponent software, etc.). Other applications can include voicerecognition of predetermined voice commands that facilitate initiationof the user feedback signals. The applications 1206 can be stored in thememory 1204 and/or in a firmware 1208, and executed by the processor1202 from either or both the memory 1204 or/and the firmware 1208. Thefirmware 1208 can also store startup code for execution in initializingthe handset 1200. A communications component 1210 interfaces to theprocessor 1202 to facilitate wired/wireless communication with externalsystems, e.g., cellular networks, VoIP networks, and so on. Here, thecommunications component 1210 can also include a suitable cellulartransceiver 1211 (e.g., a GSM transceiver) and/or an unlicensedtransceiver 1213 (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax) for corresponding signalcommunications. The handset 1200 can be a device such as a cellulartelephone, a PDA with mobile communications capabilities, andmessaging-centric devices. The communications component 1210 alsofacilitates communications reception from terrestrial radio networks(e.g., broadcast), digital satellite radio networks, and Internet-basedradio services networks.

The handset 1200 includes a display 1212 for displaying text, images,video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller ID function), setupfunctions, and for user input. For example, the display 1212 can also bereferred to as a “screen” that can accommodate the presentation ofmultimedia content (e.g., music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics,etc.). The display 1212 can also display videos and can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A serial I/O interface1214 is provided in communication with the processor 1202 to facilitatewired and/or wireless serial communications (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE1394) through a hardwire connection, and other serial input devices(e.g., a keyboard, keypad, and mouse). This supports updating andtroubleshooting the handset 1200, for example. Audio capabilities areprovided with an audio I/O component 1216, which can include a speakerfor the output of audio signals related to, for example, indication thatthe user pressed the proper key or key combination to initiate the userfeedback signal. The audio I/O component 1216 also facilitates the inputof audio signals through a microphone to record data and/or telephonyvoice data, and for inputting voice signals for telephone conversations.

The handset 1200 can include a slot interface 1218 for accommodating aSIC (Subscriber Identity Component) in the form factor of a cardSubscriber Identity Module (SIM) or universal SIM 1220, and interfacingthe SIM card 1220 with the processor 1202. However, it is to beappreciated that the SIM card 1220 can be manufactured into the handset1200, and updated by downloading data and software.

The handset 1200 can process IP data traffic through the communicationcomponent 1210 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP network such as, forexample, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a home network, a personarea network, etc., through an ISP or broadband cable provider. Thus,VoIP traffic can be utilized by the handset 1200 and IP-based multimediacontent can be received in either an encoded or decoded format.

A video processing component 1222 (e.g., a camera) can be provided fordecoding encoded multimedia content. The video processing component 1222can aid in facilitating the generation, editing and sharing of videoquotes. The handset 1200 also includes a power source 1224 in the formof batteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source 1224 caninterface to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown)by a power I/O component 1226.

The handset 1200 can also include a video component 1230 for processingvideo content received and, for recording and transmitting videocontent. For example, the video component 1230 can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A location trackingcomponent 1232 facilitates geographically locating the handset 1200. Asdescribed hereinabove, this can occur when the user initiates thefeedback signal automatically or manually. A user input component 1234facilitates the user initiating the quality feedback signal. The userinput component 1234 can also facilitate the generation, editing andsharing of video quotes. The user input component 1234 can include suchconventional input device technologies such as a keypad, keyboard,mouse, stylus pen, and/or touch screen, for example.

Referring again to the applications 1206, a hysteresis component 1236facilitates the analysis and processing of hysteresis data, which isutilized to determine when to associate with the access point. Asoftware trigger component 1238 can be provided that facilitatestriggering of the hysteresis component 1238 when the Wi-Fi transceiver1213 detects the beacon of the access point. A SIP client 1240 enablesthe handset 1200 to support SIP protocols and register the subscriberwith the SIP registrar server. The applications 1206 can also include aclient 1242 that provides at least the capability of discovery, play andstore of multimedia content, for example, music.

The handset 1200, as indicated above related to the communicationscomponent 810, includes an indoor network radio transceiver 1213 (e.g.,Wi-Fi transceiver). This function supports the indoor radio link, suchas IEEE 802.11, for the dual-mode GSM handset 1200. The handset 1200 canaccommodate at least satellite radio services through a handset that cancombine wireless voice and digital radio chipsets into a single handhelddevice.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer 1200 operable to execute a system architecture that facilitatesestablishing a transaction between an entity and a third party. Thecomputer 1200 can provide networking and communication capabilitiesbetween a wired or wireless communication network and a server (e.g.,Microsoft server) and/or communication device. In order to provideadditional context for various aspects thereof, FIG. 12 and thefollowing discussion are intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of a suitable computing environment in which the variousaspects of the innovation can be implemented to facilitate theestablishment of a transaction between an entity and a third party.While the description above is in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,those skilled in the art will recognize that the innovation also can beimplemented in combination with other program modules and/or as acombination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the innovation can also be practiced indistributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media can embody computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data ina data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference to FIG. 13, implementing various aspects described hereinwith regards to the end-user device can include a computer 1300, thecomputer 1300 including a processing unit 1304, a system memory 1306 anda system bus 1308. The system bus 1308 couples system componentsincluding, but not limited to, the system memory 1306 to the processingunit 1304. The processing unit 1304 can be any of various commerciallyavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi processorarchitectures can also be employed as the processing unit 1304.

The system bus 1308 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1306includes read-only memory (ROM) 1327 and random access memory (RAM)1312. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatilememory 1327 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within thecomputer 1300, such as during start-up. The RAM 1312 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1300 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1314 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1314 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1316, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1318) and an optical disk drive 1320, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1322 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1314, magnetic diskdrive 1316 and optical disk drive 1320 can be connected to the systembus 1308 by a hard disk drive interface 1324, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1326 and an optical drive interface 1328, respectively. Theinterface 1324 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interfacetechnologies. Other external drive connection technologies are withincontemplation of the subject innovation.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1300 the drives and mediaaccommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computer 1300, such aszip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and thelike, can also be used in the exemplary operating environment, andfurther, that any such media can contain computer-executableinstructions for performing the methods of the disclosed innovation.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1312,including an operating system 1330, one or more application programs1332, other program modules 1334 and program data 1336. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1312. It is to be appreciated that the innovation canbe implemented with various commercially available operating systems orcombinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1300 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1338 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1340. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad,a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1304 through an input deviceinterface 1342 that is coupled to the system bus 1308, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 2394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1344 or other type of display device is also connected to thesystem bus 1308 through an interface, such as a video adapter 1346. Inaddition to the monitor 1344, a computer 1300 typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1300 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections by wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1348. The remotecomputer(s) 1348 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentdevice, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer,although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 1350 isillustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wirelessconnectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1352 and/or larger networks,e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1354. Such LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which mayconnect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1300 isconnected to the local network 1352 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1356. The adapter 1356 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1352, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adapter 1356.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1300 can includea modem 1358, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN1354, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1354, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1358, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 1308 through the input device interface 1342. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1350. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer is operable to communicate with any wireless devices orentities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand,restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b,g, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet).Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, atan 11 Mbps (802.11a) or 54 Mbps (802.11b) data rate, for example, orwith products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks canprovide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wiredEthernet networks used in many offices.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subjectdisclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the preciseforms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are describedherein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possiblethat are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples,as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

In this regard, while the subject matter has been described herein inconnection with various embodiments and corresponding FIGs, whereapplicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can beused or modifications and additions can be made to the describedembodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitutefunction of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to anysingle embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed inbreadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: generating, bynetwork equipment comprising a software-defined functionality and aprocessor, a common control plane associated with a dedicated controlplane of a network; in response to generating the common control plane,generating, by the network equipment, a dedicated user plane associatedwith the dedicated control plane; based on receiving, from a serviceapplication, a resource request representative of a requested resourceto be provided to a carrier device of carrier devices associated with afirst carrier identity, facilitating, by the network equipment,transmitting resource request data representative of the resourcerequest to an access slice layer of the network to allocate therequested resource to the carrier device; in response to thefacilitating, facilitating, by the network equipment, allocating therequested resource to the carrier device and selecting a radiotechnology based on a service level agreement associated with thecarrier device; in response to the allocating, utilizing, by the networkequipment, a radio node device to facilitate a utilization of therequested resource; and facilitating, by the network equipment,partitioning the requested resource between the first carrier identityand a second carrier identity different than the first carrier identity,wherein the first carrier identity and the second carrier identity areassociated with respective communications according to differentbandwidths.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response tothe transmitting, facilitating, by the network equipment, a resourceallocation to fulfill the resource request from the carrier device. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the requested resource is a bandwidth tobe dedicated to the carrier device.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first carrier identity utilizes a base station device associatedwith a hosting layer of the network and the second carrier identity toreceive the requested resource.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thegenerating of the common control plane is performed-in response toreceiving a request for access by the carrier devices associated withthe carrier identity of a carrier.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein therequested resource is a radio channel to be utilized by the carrierdevice.
 7. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory that storesexecutable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitateperformance of operations, comprising: based on a request to enableaccess for carrier devices associated with a first carrier identityindicative of a carrier, generating a common control plane associatedwith a dedicated control plane of a network; in response to linking adedicated user plane to be associated with the dedicated control plane,receiving a resource request representative of a requested resource tobe provided to a carrier device of the carrier devices; based on thereceiving, sending resource request data representative of the resourcerequest to an access slice layer of the network to allocate therequested resource to the carrier device; and in response to thesending, allocating the requested resource to the carrier device andselecting a radio technology based on service level agreement datarepresentative of a service level agreement associated with the carrierdevice, resulting in a selected radio technology; in response to theallocating, utilizing, the selected radio technology to facilitate usageof the requested resource; and partitioning the requested resourcebetween the first carrier identity and a second carrier identitydifferent than the first carrier identity, wherein the first carrieridentity and the second carrier identity are associated with respectivecommunications according to different bandwidths.
 8. The system of claim7, wherein the carrier device is a first carrier device associated withthe first carrier identity of a first carrier, and wherein theoperations further comprise: in response to a priority associated with asecond carrier device associated with the second carrier identity of asecond carrier, allocating the requested resource to the first carrierdevice.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein generating the common controlplane is performed in response to receiving the request to enable theaccess for the carrier devices.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein therequested resource is a radio channel to be used by the carrier deviceto send data to a service application.
 11. The system of claim 7,wherein the requested resource is a quality of service associated withnetwork equipment.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the carrier deviceutilizes a wireless fidelity device associated with an enhancing layerof the network to receive the requested resource.
 13. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the linking is performed in response to the generatingof the common control plane.
 14. A non-transitory machine-readablemedium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: in responseto a common control plane being linked to a dedicated control plane,facilitating linking a dedicated user plane to the dedicated controlplane, and receiving a resource request representative of a requestedresource to be provided to a carrier device associated with a firstcarrier identity of a carrier; based on the receiving, facilitatingsending resource request data representative of the resource request toan access slice layer of a network to allocate the requested resource tothe carrier device; and in response to the sending, facilitatingallocating the requested resource to the carrier device and selecting aradio technology based on agreement data representative of a servicelevel agreement associated with the carrier device; and in response tothe allocating, utilizing a radio node device associated with the radiotechnology to facilitate usage of the requested resource; andfacilitating partitioning the requested resource between the firstcarrier identity and a second carrier identity different than the firstcarrier identity, wherein the first carrier identity and the secondcarrier identity are associated with respective communications accordingto different bandwidths.
 15. The non-transitory machine-readable mediumof claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise: facilitatinglinking the common control plane to the dedicated control plane of thenetwork.
 16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving an access requestfrom the carrier device via network equipment comprising asoftware-defined functionality, wherein the access request is receivedin response to a service application, associated with the first carrieridentity of the carrier, requesting the requested resource.
 17. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14, wherein therequested resource is a quality of service to be allocated to a serviceapplication.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14,wherein the operations further comprise: in further response to thesending, facilitating allocating an amount of bandwidth to a serviceapplication via the carrier device.
 19. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the common control plane islinked to the dedicated control plane in response to the common controlplane being generated.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 14, wherein respective ranges of the different bandwidths used forthe respective communications associated with the first carrier identityand the second carrier identity do not overlap.